Five Common Holiday Health Mishaps and How to Avoid Them

2011 is less than two weeks away. For many people, New Year's is a time for making resolutions, many of them health related. January 1st is the time of year when people start thinking about making a fresh start and changing the more negative aspects of their lifestyles. But New Year's Day and the healthy fresh start that comes with it is still in the future. In the meantime, you're still free to overindulge, right?

Not so fast. The holidays can be stressful for many people and too much stress can lead to health problems. So if you want to stay healthy, you should pay attention to your health at all times. Some health issues can crop up suddenly, especially during December when people tend to party more. All that partying can lead to eating and drinking things you're not used to and hanging around people who might cause you to feel stressed. Too much rich food, booze, and the excitement of extra company can create a perfect storm that can lead to sudden health issues.

Health issue number one: Tummy troubles

Indigestion and heartburn can be a big problem during the holidays. 'Tis the season for good eating, right? From Thanksgiving until New Year's Day, there's often plenty of food around just begging to be eaten. From festive dinners to luscious desserts to salty snacks galore, this is the time of year when many people like to show off their cooking and baking skills. Trouble is, most of us don't need to be eating all the extra calories. What's more, all that rich food can really do a number on your digestive system. You may find yourself reaching for antacids to put out the fire in your belly after a very rich holiday meal.

Tips on how to avoid indigestion and heartburn during the holidays

* Pace yourself. Try to eat small portions and enjoy those holiday goodies in small amounts. Chew slowly and completely, with your mouth closed. Swallowing air and eating too fast can lead to indigestion.

* Watch what you eat. Try to avoid foods that are very acidic or spicy. Watch your alcohol intake.

* Don't wear tight clothing, especially if you're going to be eating and drinking more than usual. You don't want to compress your stomach.

* If heartburn and indigestion are frequent problems for you and your doctor says it's okay, consider taking an antacid just before the festivities begin. I find that taking an antacid at the first sign of indigestion does a great job of heading off a full blown attack. For me, a chewable tablet such as Tums or Rolaids works well, but you should use whatever works best for you.

* Be careful. Occasional symptoms of indigestion and heartburn are usually nothing to worry about, but they can be signs of a more serious problem. See a doctor if they persist long beyond the hours after your party. According to the Cleveland Clinic, symptoms similar to heartburn and indigestion can also be warning signs of a heart attack. If your indigestion is accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, sweating, or pain in the jaw or arm, seek medical care immediately.

Health issue number two: The blues

For some people, the holidays really are a festive time of year, jam packed with activities, gift giving, and good eating. But for other people, the holidays can be the most stressful time of the year, especially when the economy is poor. Many people feel pressured to make the holidays measure up to all the hype that tends to surround them, but life gets in the way. It may be hard to be joyful about the holidays if you're dealing with financial problems that make it impossible to travel or purchase expensive gifts for everyone on your Christmas list. Or perhaps you're dealing with relationship issues and the holiday season means having to spend three days with a family member who drives you crazy. The holidays can also be physically exhausting, which can also lead to feeling listless or overly emotional.

Tips on avoiding the blues during the holidays

* Know your limits. Don't try to take on more than you can handle, either financially or logistically. The holidays are just one time of the year. Don't spend too much time or money trying to make them perfect. When it comes down to it, every day is really just that-- a day.

* Reach out to others. If you're feeling lonely or depressed, reach out to friends or loved ones. Or volunteer your time to help others. Being with other people might make you feel better.

* Or don't reach out to others. There is such a thing as too much togetherness. Too many parties, too much company, too much exposure to that irritating relative may be more than you can handle right now. If you're feeling anxious or overwhelmed, a little quiet time might be just what you need. If you're feeling really blue, a party or hanging out with people who annoy you may be the last thing you need.

* Watch your drinking. Alcohol is a depressant, so if you're feeling depressed, you shouldn't drink.

* Take care of your physical health. Exercise, eat right, and get as much sleep as you can. If you take care of yourself, your mind and body will be better able to withstand the stresses that come up during this time of the year. Take time for a quick walk to boost your endorphins and get your blood pumping. Try to eat whole, healthy foods and get outside for a dose of sunshine.

* If things are really bad, consider getting professional help. A professional counselor can help you sort through your bout with the blues. Or you may want to visit your doctor, who can refer you to someone who can help you with your depression.

Health issue number three: Food poisoning

You've just eaten a magnificent meal that you're sure to remember for the rest of your life. Unfortunately, within a couple of hours, it becomes very clear that you'll remember this meal for reasons other than its beautiful presentation and delicious taste. Doubled over with shooting stomach pains and reeling from nausea and watery diarrhea, you realize that you've eaten something that has made you very sick. And now you're about to become much better acquainted with your toilet.

Unfortunately, the holiday season is a prime time for people to get food poisoning, especially since a lot of people end up eating rare goodies that come along once or twice a year. Those special treats may be extra tempting, but they may also be prepared by an unpracticed or inexperienced cook who doesn't follow proper food safety procedures.

An undercooked turkey can be doubly sickening if it's been stuffed with dressing. That extra stuffing can end up getting contaminated by bacteria from the bird. Or perhaps you end up eating something at a party that isn't the right temperature and has been sitting out for too long. You eat the wrong thing and you end up with a nasty food-borne illness that can leave you in misery for days.

Tips on avoiding food poisoning during the holidays

* Watch what you eat! If you're baking, steer clear of eating raw cookie dough or cake batter, which usually has raw eggs in it. Be careful about eating any food that comes in a basket, especially if it's perishable. Most mail order food companies take pains to properly pack their products so they arrive fresh. But if you happen to get something perishable that isn't the right temperature, don't risk eating it unless you want to get sick. Don't eat food that isn't properly cooked. Maybe your Aunt Helen worked for hours to cook that turkey, but if you see signs that it isn't fully cooked, you should definitely avoid eating it.

* Wash your hands with soap and warm before you eat or prepare food. Food-borne illnesses can be spread easily by dirty hands. You should also take care to use clean utensils and prepare food on clean, sanitary surfaces.

* Think twice about eating raw oysters or drinking unpasteurized apple cider unless you know they have been prepared under scrupulously clean conditions.

*Be careful with defrosting food. If you have a large turkey that needs to defrost, remember to take the time to defrost it thoroughly in the bottom of the refrigerator. Leaving it on the counter or the sink to defrost may allow bacteria the opportunity to grow. Don't put raw meats on higher shelves in the refrigerator because the juices from the meat can fall on and contaminate other foods.

*Store leftovers carefully. Divide large portions into smaller ones and put them in small containers so they will cool down quickly. Put them in the refrigerator as soon as possible.

* If you do happen to get sick, monitor yourself carefully. Call a doctor if you have bloody diarrhea or vomit, can't keep down liquids after 24 hours, have a temperature of over 101.5, or continue to vomit for longer than two days. You should also call a doctor if your diarrhea doesn't clear up after three days. Be especially on the lookout for signs of dehydration.

Health issue number four: Hangovers

Good drinks often go along with good food, especially during the holiday season. This is the season we tend to break out the good scotch, the extra special wine, or the best bubbly. But while a little alcohol can be very festive, too much can lead to a hangover. The more alcohol you drink, the more likely you are to suffer a hangover, which can lead to terrible headaches, vomiting, sweating, and just plain feeling awful. And that's no way to enjoy the holidays.

Tips on avoiding hangovers during the holidays.

* Watch your drinking. The best way to avoid getting a hangover is to avoid drinking alcohol altogether. But if you must imbibe, pace yourself. Don't drink more than one drink an hour.

* Drink lots of water. Alcohol consumption causes you to urinate, which causes you to lose fluids. Dehydration is one of the main culprits of a hangover. To combat dehydration, you should drink water. Consider alternating a non-alcholic drink for every alcoholic drink you consume, but try to make you non-alcholic drink caffeine free. Caffeine also causes extra urination which can lead to fluid loss.

* Eat. Don't drink alcoholic beverages on an empty stomach. Not only will you get drunk faster, but the alcohol will likely irritate your stomach, which can lead to vomiting or indigestion. Some food will help cushion the blow and slow down the rate the alcohol is absorbed in your body. Alcohol consumption can also cause your blood sugar to fall, so a little food can help combat low blood sugar and shakiness as well.

* Consider sticking to light colored beverages. Dark alcoholic beverages like whiskey and bourbon, as well as red wines, contain ingredients called congeners which can contribute to hangovers. If you spend your evening being entertained by dark liquors or red wines, you may be more likely to feel the after effects in the morning. You might want to stick to vodka, gin, or white wine.

* Don't mix your boozes. In general, it's best to stick to one kind of alcoholic beverage. Don't drink a lot of beer and then switch to tequila. You may also want to confine your drinking to non-fizzy varieties. Too many bubbles can upset the stomach.

* You might want to take a pre-emptive over the counter painkiller before you go to bed, along with a big glass of water.

Health issue number five: Auto accidents

During the holiday festivities, lots of people are out on the road, shopping, running errands, and going to and from parties. The extra traffic, along with the added stresses of the holidays and potential alcohol consumption can cause people to be less careful driving than they might be otherwise. This is a big time of the year for car accidents, but it's also an especially tragic time of year to be in a car accident, especially if someone gets killed or seriously injured.

Just eleven days ago, I lost an acquaintance to a particularly gruesome car accident. While I was very sorry to learn of her passing, I was especially sad for the three young children she left behind. The holiday season will never be the same for them. Please drive carefully, especially during this time of the year.

Tips on avoiding auto accidents during the holidays

* Don't drink and drive. If you're going to be drinking alcohol and need to get somewhere, call a cab or use a designated driver.

* Don't drive when you're tired. Fatigue and driving don't mix. Falling asleep at the wheel can lead to deadly accidents.

* Don't drive when you're unusually emotional. Take the time to calm down before you get behind the wheel. You're more likely to get in an accident if you are distracted.

* Don't speed. Speed limits are posted for a good reason. Try to give yourself plenty of time to get to where you're going. The faster you go, the more likely you are lose control of your vehicle and the more likely you are to be seriously injured or killed in an accident.

* Try not to drive when traffic is at its worst. Obviously people have to drive during rush hour, but you should try to schedule less important errands during times when traffic is lighter.

* Wear your seatbelt and make sure everyone else in the car wears one, too. Seatbelts keep you in your seat in the event of an accident. My recently deceased friend was found ejected from her vehicle. She might still be alive had she been wearing a seatbelt. You are also more likely to stay conscious if you have a seatbelt on during a crash. Your passengers should wear seatbelts to prevent them from becoming flying objects during an accident.

Happy holidays!

I truly hope your holiday season is one to remember for the very best of reasons. Remember, you deserve to get 2011 off to the best start by staying safe and healthy during the last days of 2010!

Sources

Cleveland Clinic: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/default.aspx

Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.com/

Wisconsin Department of Health Services: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/hometips/dhp/Holidays.htm

Personal experience